Sheets takes shot at Painter

October 19, 2008|AL LESAR Tribune Staff Writer

EVANSTON, Ill. -- One of the first signs of an unraveling football team is dissention within the ranks. Purdue's fragmentation is beginning to show. After the Boilermakers' 48-26 loss at Northwestern Saturday, Purdue running back Kory Sheets was asked if quarterback Curtis Painter was the guy who could lead the team out of its present four-game funk. "No comment," Sheets said. "We need someone who can be consistent." Sheets rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns. His 76-yard TD run with 6:00 left in the game was more of a mop-up time score than anything. Sheets was miffed about being missed by Painter early in the first quarter. Second-and-goal from the Northwestern 10, Painter dropped back to pass and threw incomplete to the left side of the end zone. Sheets was standing all by himself on the right side of the field. Painter threw to Sheets for seven yards on the next play, then Purdue settled for a field goal. "It's like defenses don't even cover me anymore," said Sheets, who caught four passes for 31 yards (and dropped one while wide open). "Painter forgets I'm out there." Sheets felt he's been shouldering more than his share of the load. "In my eyes, I need some help," Sheets said. "I can't do it all by myself. Everybody's coming to me saying, 'Sheets, get the offense going.' I do something good, then something bad happens. I need some help. "Put the ball in my hands. We need someone to be consistent. They need to look to me for answers. I'll be consistent. I'll answer the call."